NuvaRing

How does the NuvaRing work?The NuvaRing releases the hormones estrogen and progesterone (the same as in the birth control pill) which prevent the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). When used perfectly the NuvaRing can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. In actual use an average of 8 women out of 100 get pregnant in a year using the NuvaRing as their only form of contraception. The NuvaRing does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms with the ring will provide you with protection against both pregnancy and STIs. It is also recommended to get tested regularly for STIs.

How do you use the NuvaRing?The NuvaRing is inserted inside your vagina. Wash your hands and take the NuvaRing out of the package. Hold it between your thumb and index finger and squeeze the ring until it is long and narrow enough to insert inside your vagina. It might help to sit on the edge of your bed, squat, or sit on the toilet – just don’t drop it! Use your finger to reposition the ring until it is comfortable. It doesn’t matter what position the ring is in; as long as it is inside your vagina it will work. The NuvaRing will not go in too deep or get lost inside your vagina. Tampons can be used safely at the same time as the Nuvaring. Just make sure not to pull the ring out when removing a tampon. When you want to remove the ring, hook your finger under the rim or grab it between two fingers and pull it out gently. If you are having trouble reaching the ring, squat down or sit on the toilet, relax your muscles and try again. If you have extra NuvaRings, you can store them at room temperature (25 degrees C) for up to 4 months, but it is best to store them in the refrigerator especially in hot weather.

When do you start the NuvaRing?You can start using the NuvaRing at any time in your cycle. You do not have to wait for your period to come. If you’ve had a medical abortion, you can insert the NuvaRing once you have had a check-up and the doctor says the abortion is complete. You can also insert the NuvaRing on the day following a surgical abortion, even though the aftercare instructions might be to not put anything inside the vagina for a week. Because the NuvaRing is sterile it is OK to put it in – just make sure to wash and dry your hands really well before. With any of these options, use condoms as a back-up or abstain from intercourse until you’ve had the ring in for seven full days.

When do you change the NuvaRing?You can decide whether or not you want to have your period when you are using the NuvaRing. It is okay to skip your period when you are using hormonal contraception because the lining of the uterus does not grow as much and does not need to shed every month. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a period. However, some women like to have one each month as reassurance that they are not pregnant. You can use the ring in the following ways:

Conventional Use: Some doctors and the instructions that come with the NuvaRing may recommend that you leave it in for 21 days and then take a seven day break, which will cause your period to come.

Shorter Breaks: Research has shown that it is safe and more effective to only leave the ring out for three or four days per month. Many women therefore leave their NuvaRing in for 25 days and then take a three day break before putting their new one in, or 24 days with it in and four days out. If you do this, your period should start in the time the NuvaRing is out. Don’t wait until your period finishes to put your next NuvaRing in – you can start your new ring after three or four days whether you are still bleeding or not. Never have a break that is longer than seven days.

Continuous Use: You can also simply leave the NuvaRing inside for 28-31 days and then change it without a break. Change your NuvaRing on the 28th day (every 4 weeks) or on the same day each calendar month, putting the new one in immediately after you remove the old one. This will also make the NuvaRing more effective in protecting against pregnancy. For some women they will have some spotting after a few months – this is normal. If you do not like having irregular spotting, you may want to take a three or four day break every second or third month, which will make it more like having a period. Otherwise, just continue to use the ring, changing every 28-31 days, and the spotting will eventually stop.

What do you do if the NuvaRing falls out or is broken?If you can feel the ring slipping out, just use your finger to push it back into position in the top of your vagina. If the ring is broken, discard it and replace it with a new ring – there is no need to change when or if you take a break or use back up birth control.

If it is out for less than three hours:If the ring has come all the way out for less than three hours, you can rinse it off with cool water and reinsert it. If you have lost the ring, insert a new one within three hours if you can. If it has been less than three hours, you do not have to make any changes to how you’re using the ring that month – you can either take your break or change your Nuvaring at the same time as though you hadn’t lost the ring. You do not need to use back up birth control.

If it is out for more than three hours:

If it is during the first or second week of using the NuvaRing: reinsert it and use a backup method (like condoms) until the NuvaRing has been in for a full seven days.

If it is during the third week of using the NuvaRing: you can either 1) insert a new ring immediately and begin a new cycle as if you are just starting a new ring (ie. leave it in for at least 21 days or more if you are doing shorter breaks or no breaks) or, 2) if you have used the Nuvaring continuously for the last seven days, you can take your break and insert a new ring no later than seven days from the time it was removed or came out.

With either of these options, use a back-up method such as condoms or abstain from sex until you have had the ring in for a full seven days. If you have had intercourse without any protection other than the ring (for example, condoms) within seven days before or after a NuvaRing has been out for more than three hours, it is safest to use Plan B (emergency pills – these can be used up to five days after unprotected sex) or have an emergency copper IUD inserted (up to seven days after unprotected sex).

What do you do if you put your next NuvaRing in late?

If you took your NuvaRing out to have a period and forgot to put the next one in after 3-4 days, you are still protected if the NuvaRing has not been out for more than 7 days.

If the NuvaRing has been out for more than seven days, or if you left your NuvaRing inside for more than 31 days, put your next ring in immediately and use condoms as a back up or abstain from intercourse until the ring has been in for seven full days intercourse. If you have had intercourse without any protection other than the ring (for example, condoms), you may also want to use Plan B if it has been less than five days, or have an emergency copper IUD inserted if it has been less than seven days.

What do you do if the ring bothers you or your partner during sex? The NuvaRing isn’t likely to bother you during sex, and it is best to keep it in. It is not recommended to take the ring out during sexual intercourse. If you do remove the ring for intercourse, do not leave it out of the vagina for more than 3 hours in any 24-hour period.

What kind of side effects can the NuvaRing have? There is no increased risk of vaginal infection with Nuvaring use and the ring does not cause weight gain. The Nuvaring will not make it harder to get pregnant or have children in the future -when you stop using the ring your fertility will return very quickly. It can also have good side effects. Many women find their periods get lighter and less painful, and this can be helpful with anemia (low iron). Some women also find that their acne improves. Women who use the ring may have a significantly smaller risk of developing ovarian and endometrial (uterine) cancers. They may also have a much lower risk of having a serious pelvic infection that can affect future fertility.

The NuvaRing tends to have less negative side effects than birth control pills or patches. The most significant negative effect is a slightly increased risk of blood clots (deep venous thrombosis, DVT). There is a lower risk of blood clots when on the ring than there is during pregnancy. It is highest in the first 6-12 months of use. Other side effects are headaches, vaginal wetness, decreased sex drive, nausea, and breast tenderness. Often these go away after the first three months. If you want to stop using the NuvaRing, talk to someone first to lessen the chance of pregnancy.

If you have any of the following symptoms see a doctor immediately as they may be signs of a serious problem:

sharp chest pain, coughing blood, sudden shortness of breath

severe pain in calf (lower leg)

sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, problems with vision or speech, numbness in arm or leg

severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in abdomen

breast lumps

swelling of fingers or ankles

Who should not use the NuvaRing?

If you are over age 35 and smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day

If you are breastfeeding a baby less than 6 months old

If you have a history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, certain cancers, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches with neurological symptoms (“aura”), liver disease, jaundice, diabetes with complications of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, or blood vessels

For more information see www.nuvaring.com or call the Sex Sense Line at 604-731-7308 or 1-800-SEX-SENSE